I just thought it would be a good business, but they didnt think it was profitable, said King, who, after more than 49 years, is closing the doors to his business this month.He has been married to wife Wynette, for 51 years.
He wasnt deterred, he said, even when the banks turned him down. Instead, he worked and saved some money and when the opportunity came, he took it.
There was a mechanic working out of a shack basically, who got in trouble, he said. For the shack and two and half acres of land, he was asking about $1,800. I had $900 saved up so I bought it.
I worked hard to get ahead, he said. I came along at the right time.
Business was good, he said and he worked mostly installing windows in vehicles, until that industry changed and windshields became curved.
Theyve taken the skill out of it, he said. Now, most glass workers install them, they dont actually make them.
But King changed too and began focusing on residential and commercial. In 1960, he built his current shop, located on Highway 53, near Coosa Valley Technical College.
Its been a big walk-in business, he said, adding he thanks his many customers for his success.
Daughter Donna, who helped her father in the business, said people can see her fathers work all over the downtown area.
And hes never missed a day, she said. Even when he had surgery.
King said burnout has never been a problem and he has always enjoyed his business.
But now, its time to move on, he said.
Its really getting too big for me to do, he said.
Hes not sure what hes going to do about his leftover inventory or the building he has worked in for the past 45 years.
But he does know that retirement isnt going to mean sitting around.
I like to piddle, so I guess thats what Ill do.
King Glass closing its doors after 49 years
Fresh out of the Army in 1956, Harold King, owner of King Glass, said he went to the Veterans Administration for help in starting his glass business.